Signs of Human Trafficking

To be a lifeline to a victim, keep alert. Pay attention to those around you, especially those others may overlook. Human trafficking affects those who are vulnerable. Set aside stereotypes and keep in mind that human trafficking could be present anywhere. Remove the assumption that employees are being treated according to labor laws. For more information specifically about victims in the United States, see Polaris Project

This list is not exhaustive and represents only a selection of
possible indicators.

Common Work and Living Conditions: The Individual(s) in Question

•Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
•Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
•Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp /
manager
•Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
•Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
•Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions
at work
•Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
•Was recruited through false promises concerning the
nature and conditions of his/her work
•High security measures exist in the work and/or living
locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars
on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.
•Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or
nervous/paranoid
•Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after
bringing up law enforcement
•Avoids eye contact

Poor Health Care

Lack of Control

•Has few or no personal possessions
• Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial
records, or bank account
•Is not in control of his/her own identification documents
(ID or passport)
•Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third
party may insist on being present and/or translating)
Other
•Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she
is staying/address
•Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know
what city he/she is in
•Loss of sense of time
•Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

If you or someone you know is:

•not getting paid for their labor
•not free to change employers
•being controlled by someone else
•being forced to do something they don't want to do
•has been cheated into payment of debt upon arrival
You, he, or she may be a victim of human trafficking and eligible for free assistance.
Call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 888-373-7888 for more information. Or, text "INFO" or "HELP" to BEFREE (233733)
Visit our page "Human Trafficking Indicators" to learn about the signs of human trafficking.

Tulare County Human Trafficking Resource Newsletter

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Those who can provide a service to those affected by human trafficking int he Central Valley are encouraged to sign up to be on the GraceCity app. It's free and easy! Click on the image to sign up and for more info

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